Tribute to Fathers- June Newsletter Crossroads Youth & Family Services

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CROSSROADS

THE MISSION OF CROSSROADS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES, INC. IS TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS.

CELEBRATING FATHER'S EDITION

All Road Lead to Hom e

What's TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSIDE

03 Special Note 04 Tribute to Fathers

06 Father's Day Craft for toddlers 07 The Best Cookie Recipe EVER!

06

07

08

08 Head Start Early Head Start Updates 09 Youth Services Updates

10 Employee Birthdays and Celebrations 11 Employees of the Month: 12 Introducing our new Board Member: LeAnne Pence

09

10

11

12

CROSSROADS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES, INC. 1333 W. Main St. , Norman, OK 73069 +1-405-292-6440 | info@crossroadsyfs.com www.crossroadsyfs.org

SPECIAL NOTE:

Crossroads Youth & Family Services is excited to announce that we are serving as Interim Program Facilitators for the Wewoka Head Start Program in Seminole and Lincoln counties.

The program was previously run by Wewoka Public Schools.

Many new team members will be coming on board and we can't be more thrilled to welcome them to the Crossroads team.

More information, introductions, and details will be shared soon.

"WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE SOME AMAZING PEOPLE JOINING THE TEAM."

TRIBUTE TO

FATHERS

PAGE 4

BUILDING ROADS: HOW CROSSROADS CONNECTS WITH DADS "IN HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS, WE HONOR FATHERS AND ROLE MODELS WHO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RAISING A CHILD." The world stopped, but parents More information coming in July and mentors all over our counties about the new app by the CDC to worked tirelessly to keep their help parents understand the young ones engaging and developments of their child and to developing.

ACT Early if special assistance is Unfortunately, some of our favorite father-baby events were put on hold due to the pandemic.

Some of our teachers and toddlers got really creative and created an art show!

St. Stephens was able to have parents and guardians view the amazing artwork of their Head Start kids, which brought in fathers and mothers alike in a sociallydistanced way.

A HEAD START IN LIFE Crossroads works with fathers to keep them up-to-date on their child's developmental progress.

Maddie Bright created a partnership with the Oklahoma Autism Center to help equip parents with resources to track their child's development.

needed.

5 WAYS FATHERS SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S LEARNING EVERY DAY 1. Play- Fathers play with their child to help them learn social skills.

2. Follow- Fathers follow their child's interests and encourage exploration and discovery.

3. Talk- Fathers talk with their child about what they are doing and learning.

4. Listen- Father's listen to their child when they talk about their feelings and ideas.

5. Love- Father's love their child as a unique and special person.

US Department of Health & Human Services

CROSSROADS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES

PAGE 5

MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR DAD Butterfly Planter

Items Needed: Planter Tempera Paint Plate or recycled cardboard Feet Chair, stool, or table Directions Prepare the area by placing down paper or recycled cardboard.

Pour desired paint colors onto plate or cardboard Allow child to step gently in the paint design Have the child sit in desired spot Place the right foot in position against the planter Once the right foot is removed, Place the left foot to the immediate right side of the previous print. Be careful not to smudge the previous print.

Allow planter to dry and use markers or paint to add finishing details.

You "rock", Dad

Items Needed: Rock with at least one smooth surface Tempera Paint Paint brushes paper or recycled Cardboard Directions Prepare the area by placing cardboard, plastic coverings, or paper down.

Use a paper plate or other conduit to place various paint colors .

Allow creativity and your child to decorate the rock as they like.

Place to the side and allow to dry.

Once dry, use markers or paint to draw a special message.

THE EASIEST COOKIE RECIPE

by Spend with Pennies

When in a pinch, this recipe is one that can save the day.

This recipe can be altered and adjusted to fit the tastes of everyone.

Base Recipe 1 box cake mix

or 1/3 cup

1/2 cup

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl Place spoonfuls of thoroughly mixed dough on parchment lined or nonstick cookie sheet with ample room.

These cookies spread!

Ingredients 1 cake mix (flavor of your choice) 1/3 cup vegetable oil or 1/2 cup butter 1 egg

1 egg

Optional Additions: Sprinkles Chocolate Chips Pecans M&Ms Reece's Pieces

HEAD START/ EARLY HEAD START UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS WE ARE EXPANDING AND UPDATING

NEIGHBORHOOD NEW SITE Updates indeed as the new center for Neighborhood is in its finishing stages.

MOORE CONFERENCE CENTER

Thank you to Mike and crew for making such safe, clean, healthy spaces for our kids!

The team put the finishing touches on the Moore Conference Center and many trainings are already underway.

BETHEL NEW SITE This week, the new center at Bethel will be ready for crawling legs and tiny toes.

HEAD START/ EARLY HEAD START

PAGE 08

Arbuckle Wilderness

YOUTH SERVICES UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS PHILANTHROPY COMES IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES Dr. John Otto, owner of University Animal Hospital in Norman, shared a harrowing story about homelessness, setbacks and the love animals can bring to shelter residents. This private viewing happened at the historic Norman Theatre. A huge thank you to Denise for setting this up.

depression. The group will send the first set of boxes to students from Irving Middle School, design and maintain a virtual space, create videos and animations, plan back to school "Wooosah" camps and much more.

What could make the night even better? A quick stroll through downtown Norman and some treats from Rusty's Frozen Custard Factory made it an enjoyable night.

To make an impact on the lives of many takes time, money and effort.

The Oklahoma community is filled with organizations and individuals that bring all of these things and more to the Emergency Youth Shelter residents.

EPIC CREW STARTS

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The process of starting a new program can be daunting unless the right people all come together to make it happen.

Additional funds are being donated as well as the expertise and resources of Ideal Homes for the shelter remodel project.

Crossroads welcomes a tremendous group of interns this summer to help make a difference in the lives of youth dealing with anxiety or

Oklahoma Riversport , Arbuckle Wilderness , YMCA of Cleveland County , and Westwood Water Park all donated passes for shelter residents to have enjoyable excursions this summer.

YOUTH SERVICES

PAGE 09

SHOUT OUT TO

June Birthdays 01

Sirisha

11

Amy

18

03

Ashton

12

Ashleigh

22

04

Erica

13

Tammy

24

05

Gail Tyra

14

Drue Angelica

07

Tamara

15

Toni

08

Stephanie

16

Cheryl Todd

17

Renita

09

Tabitha Jessica

WWW.CROSSROADSYFS.ORG

26 28

Cheryl Smith Rita Melissa Jennifer Vicki Catherine LuAnn Jackie

HELP US CELEBRATE June Work Anniversaries

1 Year Austin Terri D Ashliegh D Genesis G.

15 Years

2 Years

John G.

6 Years

Kelsey B. Amanda H.

10 Years Shawnda B.

Stephanie T.

3 Years Stacy C.

5 Years Mollie H. WWW.CROSSROADSYFS.ORG

7 Years Erin M.

4 Years Jackie S.

Kelly

Mason,

Specialist,

is

Youth

greatly

Care

treasured.

She works diligently, covers extra shifts, assists with grocery orders, and purchases craft supplies for the kids. She always goes above and beyond to help the team be stronger and better. Thank you for all you do!

-

not pictured

AREA SUPERVISORS

Michael Hoskins

KELLY MASON

GREAT LEADERS

"THEY'VE ENDURED SO MUCH!" What

can

we

say?

Between

floods, power outages, appliance breakdowns, COVID, and staffing issues, Head

the Start

Head

Start/

area

remain

champions

families.

Thank

you

Early

supervisors for to

our Cheryl

Todd, Angie Rodriguez, Michael Hoskins,

and

Dava

keeping

things

Peters

rolling

the countless obstacles.

for

despite

MEET & GREET Please give a warm welcome to our new Board Member, LeAnne Pence.

LeAnne graduated from Oklahoma State University . She is currently a Controller at HeyDay Entertainment. We are beyond excited to have her join the Crossroads' family.

New Team Members

Kesheiona J. to Education Engine

Janet N. to Education Engine

Returning Team Members Tonoah J. to Youth Shelter

Lexus P. to Children's Chateau

Marci B. to Seminole Early Head Start

New Position Team Members Kaylee from intern to Counseling Team

Huge thank you to the McMahon Foundation for your generous donation for the Lawton Early Childhood Program

Special Thank you to United Way of Norman for donating to the Youth Shelter.